Method of and apparatus for making box lids



May 10, 1"92"'7. 1,627,894

H J. GOFF METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BOX LIDS A i e 18. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lAv N Ji 1. N N

' INVEN TOR.

17. J. Goff A TTORNEY "Q sum May H. J. GOFF METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING BOX LIDS Filed Oct- 18, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. H. J. Goff Patented May 10, 1927.

UNITED STATES STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO STOCKTON BOX COMPANY,

OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION.

' METHOD OF AND'APPARATUS FOR MAKING BOX LIDSL Application filedoctober 18, 1926. Serial No. 142,202.

This invention relates to the lids or covers used for boxes in which fruits such as grapes are packed for shipment. Such lids are commonly made of a pair of trans:

versely alined boards with end cleats to hold the boards together. The boards and cleats are both quite thin and at present the cleats are usually secured to the boards by wire stitching, which requires the use of a comm plicated and expensive machine. Lids so constructed have the disadvantages of a'lack of neatness of appearance, and the sharp ends of the wires frequently project from the surface of the wood and are apt to stick into and scratch the hands of those subsequently handling 'the lids and boxes. I make such lids by glueing the end cleats onto the boards, avoiding the use of wires, and so that the finished-lid presents a neat and perfectly smooth appearance, and is more convenient to handle. In thus makin the lids the bda-rds must be laid side by si e, the glue applied to one face of the cleats and the latter then applied to the boards, and clamping pressure must then be exerted against the boards and cleats to hold the parts in closerelationship until the glue has thoroughly set. A

The principal object of-- my invention therefore is to provide a method for accomplishing these operations in a quick, economical and commercially practicable manner, and an apparatus for enabling the method itself to be carried out. Apart from a small additional outlay of capital, and

with but a few additional operators.

These objects I accomplish by means of such structure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claims.

In the drawings similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts inthe -several views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the permanent features of the apparatus used in connection with my method.

the improved appearance and form of the i Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus as a whole showing boxes in process of manufacturein accordance with my method.

Fig. is a perspective view of a lid. Fig. 4 is a side elevatiorr of a lid guide and clamp supporting unit of the apparatus showing the clamps in place in their initialposition.

Fig. 5 is aside elevation of a stack of lids as mounted in the clamps and supported on 05 the setting runway.

Fig. 6 is a perspective elevation of a clamp.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fixed board guide and clamp supporting member as mounted on the table:

Fig. 8 is a sectional perspective of the glue vessel used in glueing the end cleats.

Referring now more particularly to the characters ofreference on the drawings, the main unit of the permanent installation of the a paratus comprises a table 1 of suit- 7 able eight and length having two longitudinal supporting surfaces 2 and 3 referably separated by a longitudinal partition 4. o Mounted on the table may be any desired number of units forassembling lids. Each unit comprises a pair of rigid upstanding transverse members 5, preferably heavy boards which are mounted on the surface 2 35 and are spaced longitudinally thereof. This spacing is sufiicient to receive a lid board B lengthwise therebetween, while the width of the members 5 transversely of the table is suflicient toreceivetwo such'lid boards in 9 transversely alined relationship. Disposed along the table at the front and' back edges .of the members '5 and extending therebetween are sills 6 which are recessed adjacent the inner faces of the member 5, as shown at 7 in Fig. 7. Mounted on the members 5 at the top and against the outer faces thereof and extending beyond the front and back side edges are horizontal 1 straps 8 which are bent at their outer ends toward the inner faces of the members 5 to form end flanges 9, which flanges are dis osed parallel to the corresponding edges 0 saidmembers and some distance outwardly thereof.

In connection with each pair of members 5 I use a pair of clamps. Each clamp comprises a rectangular rigid frame 10 having an internal width slightly greater than the members 5, and a height considerably 110' face 3 in transverse alinemcnt with each lid assembling unit is a glue vessel. This vessel comprises an outer rectangular pan 1ft, to rest on the surface 3, and to be held in proper alinement relative to the assembling unit between transverse and longitudinally spaced guides 15. Arranged to move vertically in the pan ltand to float on the glue 16 therein is a shallower pan 17 This pan has a pair of spaced and upwardly projecting flat toppedridges 18, which extend transversely and are spaced longitudinally relative 'to the table. The ridges are longitudinally slotted as at 19, the slots communicating with the glue under the pan. The length of the ridges is somewhat greater than that of the end cleats C of the lid and are practically as wide as said cleats. The table surface 2 between the lid assembling units is arranged to support a number of'stacks of lids B; whilethe surface 3 between the different glue vessels is arranged to support a supply. of the cleats C, as shown in Fig. 2.

In operation a pair of clamps is mounted in connection with each pair of members 5, before the lid assembling operations arebegun, by sliding each clamp in turn transversely of the table so that the lower end of the clamp frame rests in a pair of re cesses 7. The clamp frame is then supported by the sills 6. The partition 4 at the back prevents the clamp from going too far transversely of the table and holds it so that if it is then tilted toward the adjacent member'5, the sides of the clamp frame will clear the edges of said member, enabling the sides of said frame to rest against the metal straps 8. The clamping bar 11 is of course retracted so that it clearsthe top of the member 5. The straps 8 being on the outer faces of the said mem bers and the recesses 7 being at the inner faces thereof, the clamp will lie at an angle such that it is self-supporting, as clearly shown in Fig.4. Both clamps 'being' in positionone operator then takes a stand in front of the assembling unit, and another one on the opposite side of the table, in

front of the corresponding glue table. The first operator takes two boards B from the adjacent stack on the table and places them between the members 5 and the clamp cleats.

the meantime takes two cleats in his hands,

rests them on the ridges 18 of the glue vessel so that they will receive some glue oozing through the slots 19, and place; said cleats, glued faces down, on top of the boards B at the ends thereof, or against the members 5, which form guides for the placing of the cleats. The first operator then places another pair of boards B on top of the cleats thus placed, while the second operator is preparing another pair of end cleats to be placed on said other pair of boards. These operations are continued until the number of lids thus assembled reaches adjacent the top of the members 5.

The clamps are then swung toward each other from their upper ends until they are vertical or parallel to each other, in which position the clamping bars 11 are vertically alined with the vertical rows of the end The bars 11 are then advanced until the necessary pressure is exerted strongly on all the lids. evident, only comes where it is needed i. e. between the cleats and the adjacent surfaces of the boards. The separated boards between the cleats are therefore not subjected to any pressure which would tend to warp or distort them. I

The clamps and the lids secured therein are'then removed from the assembling table as a unit and placed on a gently inclined runway 20. This runway is formed with longitudinal rails 21, having raised ridges 22 extending lengthwise thereof, which are spaced apart the same' as the spacing between the clamp members when the latter are secured to the lids. The clamp frames are made with their bottoms longitudinally grooved, so as to fit over the ridges, which therefore guide the frames in their movement lengthwise of the runway. The runway extends in any desired direction from the table; depending on the space available This pressure, as will be I or the general lay out of the plant, andis of such a length 'asto insure that by the time a lid and clamp unit has been pushed from the top to the bottom of the runway by successive units, the glue of the lids of the first unit will be sufficiently hardened to enable the clamps to be removed. This done and the lids stored or carried away, the clamps are placed on a return chute 23 whichleads fromadjacent the lower end of the runway 20 to a point adjacent the table 1. This enables the clamps to be then picked up when needed and again mounted in connection with the assembling units without lost time or motion on the part of the operators.

As many'assembling units as it maybe necessary to give the desired capacity may of the invention as set forth herein. 7

\Vhile this specification sets forth in 'detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as donot form a departure from the spirt of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

Having thusdescribed my invention what I claims new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A method of making box lids formed of transversely alined boards and end cleats glued across the board, as the lids are made, consisting in assembling a plurality of the component parts of the'lids' in proper and superimposed order to form a stack, and then applying a clamping pressure to the stack as a unit in the 1 planes of the end cleats.

2. A method of making box lids formed of transversely alined boards and end cleats glued across the board, as the lids are made,

consisting in assembling a plurality of the component parts of the lids in properand superimposed order to form a stack, supporting the parts in o posed clamp frames as they are assemble said frames being disposed at the ends ofthe lids, and then appl ing a vertical clamping pressure onto all the end cleats simultaneously by means of said clamp framesl 1 3. A method of making box lids'formed of transversel glued across the board, as the lids are made,

conslstmg 1n assembling a plurality of the,

component parts of the lids in proper and superimposed order to porting'the parts in 0(pposed clamp frames as they are assemble said frames being disposed at the ends of the lids, then applying a vertical clamping pressure onto all the end cleats simultaneously by=means of said clamp frame, and finally permitting the clamps and lids to remain undisturbed for a predetermined time to permit the glue to set' beforeremoving the clamps.

4. A method of making box lids formed of transversel alined boards and end cleats glued across the board, as the lids are made,

, consisting in assembling a plurality of the component parts of the lids in proper and superimposed order to form-a stack. supporting the parts in oCppoSed clamp frames as they are assemble providing for the removable sup ort of the frames at. the ends of the lids an the locating of the lid parts.

relative to the frames, then applying clampthat I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the, objects alined boards andend cleats.

form a stack, sup- I ing pressure to all the end cleats from the top, by means of the clam ing elements pro-- vided with the frames, t en removing the frames and lids clamped therein-from the supporting means, and allowing the unit to remain undisturbed until the glue has set.

5. A method of making box lids formed of transversely alined boards and endcleats glued across the boards, as the lids are made, consisting in assembling a plurality of the component parts of the lids in proper and superimposed order to form a stack, then applying a clamping pressure to the stack as a unit in the planes of the end cleats, and maintaining'the clamping pressure undisturbed for a predetermined time.

6. A method'ofmaking box-lids formed of'transversel alined boards and end cleats glued across t e boards, as the lids are-made, consisting in providing fixed locating means for the parts of the lids, placing the boards in. proper relationship with the locating. means, from one side thereof,

placing the cleats on the boards from the other side of the locating means, applying an adhesive to one face of the cleats before they are thus applied, assembling a stack of the'lids by thus placin the boards and cleats alternately, and sure to the stack in the vertical planes of the end cleats.

7. Apparatus for making box lids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats glued across the boards, including fixed upstanding elements spaced to re celve a board therebetween' and having a width approximating that of a.lid, rectangular frames wider than said elements, clamping bars mounted in said frames ad- -jacent the top and parallel to the bottom thereof, and means provided inconnect ion with said elements for removably supporting, the frames so that their bottoms lie just inwardly. of the elements and their fixed'upst'anding elements spaced to receive a board therebetween and having a width approximating that of a lid, rectangular frames wider than said elements, clamping bars mounted in said frames adjacent the top and parallel to the bottom thereof, hori-' zontal members at the front and back of said elements at the base thereof and extending therebetween, said'members having recesses nally applying a clamping pres-' in their upper faces disposed to support and locate the bottoms of the frames adjacent and inwardly of the elements, and support ing means for the sides of the frames toward their upper ends, projecting beyond the side edges of the element from the opposed faeesthereof.

- port and locatethe bottoms of the frames provide adjacent'and inwardly of the elements, supporting means for the sides of the frames ,toWard their upper ends, projecting beyond the side edges of the element from the op-- posed faces thereof,.a vessel to contain a liquid adhesive for the end cleats, and

means for supporting the vessel in direct association with and between said elements in a plane to one side thereof.

10. Apparatus for making box lids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats glued across the boards, including fixed upstanding elements 5 aced to receive a board therebetween and having a width approximating that of a lid, rectangular frames wider than said elements, clamping bars mounted in said frames adjacent the top and parallel to the bottomthereof, means rovided in connection with said elements or removably supporting the frames so that their bottoms lie just inwardly of the elements and have their sides lie at an upwardly diverging slope relative to each other, and transversely separated surfaces mounted as a unit with the elements for supporting supplies of the boards and cleats 1n separated relationship.

11. Apparatus for making box lids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats glued across the boards, including fixed upstanding elements spaced to receive a board therebetween and having a width approximating that of a lid, rectangular frames wider than said elements, clamping bars mounted in said frames adjacent the top and arallel to the bottom thereof, means in connection with said elementsfor r'emovably supporting the frames so that their bottoms lie just inwardly of the elements and have their sides lie at an upwardly diverging slope relative to each other, transversely separated surfaces mounted as a unit with the elements for supporting supplies of the boards and cleats-1n separated relationship, a Vessel to contain a liquid adhesive for the end cleats, and means on the cleat supporting surface for locating the vessel in transverse central alinement with the elements and to one side of the same.

12. Apparatus for making box lids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats glued across the boards, including fixed upstanding elements spaced to receive a board therebetween and having a width approximating that of "a lid, rectangular frames wider than said elements, clamping bars mounted in said framesvadjacent the' top and parallel to the bottom thereof, means provided in connection with said elements for removably supporting the frames so that their bottoms lie just inwardly of the elements and their sides lie at an upwardly diverging slope relative to each other, board supporting, surfaces longitudinally alined with the elements beyond the same, and a cleat supporting surface parallel to said first named surfaces and disposed to one side of the elements.

13. Apparatus for making box lids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats glued across the boards, rectangular clamp frames to support the lid-boards at their ends, clamping-bars in the frames adjacent the upper ends thereof and arranged for verticalmovement, and means for removably supporting the frames while a stack of lids is being assembled therein, the clamping bars being advanced against the end cleats when the stack is completed.

14. Apparatus for making box lids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats lued across the board's, rectangu lar clamp f iames to support the lid-boards at their ends, clamping bars in the frames adjacent the upper ends thereof and arranged forvertical movement, means for removably supporting the frames while a stack of lids is being assembled therein, the clamping bars being advanced against the end cleats when the stack is completed, and a runway on which the clamped lids, with the frames as a unit therewith, are then placed.

15. Apparatus for making boxlids which consist of transversely alined boards with end cleats glued across the boards, rectangu lar clamp frames to support the lid-boards at their ends, clamping bars in the frames adjacent the upper ends thereof and arranged -for vertical movement, means for removably supporting the frames while a stack of lids is being assembled therein, the clamping bars being advanced against the end cleats when the stack is completed, a runway on which the clamped lids, with the 'frames as a unit therewith, are 'then'placed,

at their ends, clamping bars in the frames adjacent the upper ends thereof and arranged for vertical movement, means for removably supporting the frames while a stack of lids is being assembled therein. the clampilfi ing bars being advanced a ainst the end cleats when the stack is comp eted, a runway on which the clamped lids, with the frames as a unit therewith, are then placed, the bottoms of the frames being longitudinally end cleats glued across the boards, rectangular clamp frames to support the lid-boards at their ends, clamping bars in the frames adjacent the upper ends thereof and arranged for vertical movement, means for removably supporting the frames while a stack of lids is being assembled therein, the

clamping bars being advanced against the endcleats when the stack is completed, a runway on which the clamped lids, with the frames as a unit therewith, are then placed, and a return chute for the detached clamps leading from adjacent one end of the runway to adjacent the clamplsupporting means.

18. A means for applyln the end cleats of a box li comprising an outer pan, to contain the adhesive, an inner pan to float on the adhesive, and flat-topped ridges approximating in size the face area of a cleat,. projecting upwardly from the bottom of the inner pan in spaced relation to each other and to the sides of said an; said ridges having longitudinal slots t erethrough communicatin with the adhesive. In testimony whereo 'I afiix mJy signature.

' HENRY GOFF.

an adhesive to 

